AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

Dear TSGers, as we reach the end of another great golfing year, we leave you with the Highlights reel of the 2024 Matchplay Final (see below) and the news that the USGA and the R&A have just announced new changes to the WHS Handicapping system, which will take effect from April 2024. Read the latest changes and the TSG verdict on each new rule over on our TSG Blog pages - WHS Handicap Changes >> - So, I guess Adam our developer is going to be busy over the winter! Happy Xmas and a Happy New Year TSGers!

Ian and the TSG Team

#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE  #BEHAPPY 

TSG EVENT NEWS: TSG MatchPlay Final

• Johnson wins The Social Golfer Matchplay 2023!
• Wilson & Webb take TSG Pairs

TheSocialGolfer.com – the online golf club and social golf network – held its 11th TSG Matchplay Championship Final (sponsored by Golf News & GogogoSport) at the popular South London Golf Club, Farleigh, on Sunday 24^th September 2023…

The TSG Matchplay Championship ran similarly to an FA Cup-style knockout with participants arranging each round of matches at a course of their choice throughout the summer.

The Match

The finalists, Dave Johnson (Essex) and Mark Crane (Kent), both worked their way through a field of 64 to secure their place at Farleigh, having played six matches across the year. In addition, the two losing Semi-finalists Gary Wilson (Kent) and Rob Webb (Essex) competed in the third-place play-off.  

The final began with Johnson taking an early lead, going 3 up after 3. But Crane (former Champion in 2014) fought back to stay in the match. It looked all but over when Johnson went Dormie on the 13^th green. Five up with 5 to play.

However, as the shoulders tightened with victory in sight, Johnson lost the next three holes, re-teeing on every occasion, forcing the game to the 17^th. Sadly, Crane left it short, while Johnson holed out for Par, to take the title, 2&1.

WATCH THE MOVIE >>

TSG EVENT NEWS: The Social Golfer Pairs

Meanwhile, in another competition, running alongside the Matchplay final event on the day, 10 teams competed for the inaugural Social Golfer Pairs Trophy, named after long-term TSG member Gary Wilson’s Daughter, Kirstie, who he lost to Cancer, aged only 21. 

The competition was played using the combined Stableford score of both players, meaning every shot counted.

And rather fittingly, The Kirstie Cup was won by Dad, Gary Wilson (Kent) and Rob Webb (Essex). Such a success was this new tournament, it will now sit alongside the Matchplay Final every year!

TSG OPEN 2023: Swing For Africa!

Lilley & Scott take honours at The ‘African’ Social Golfer OPEN 2023

As the good weather graced the fairways of Bletchingley Golf Club in Surrey, the TSGers gathered for their 14^th annual major championship – The SOCIAL GOLFER OPEN 2023.

Unlike previous years, this event was also a chance to celebrate the new partnership that has been forged between the community-based website and handicapping platform, and the Afriyea Golf Academy in Uganda. The event included a DJ playing ‘African beats’ on the Golf Course (yes, really) and a ‘Mud Putt’ to replicate the conditions some of the kids learn to play golf in!

More than 60 TSGers raised over £3K for this vital charity and collected more than 600 golf clubs, 25 golf bags, and 1000+ golf balls which are already on their way to Uganda... THANK YOU TSGers!

The Winners

The field, ranging from 6 handicappers to 36, and the superb conditions of the golf course, proved to make for a hugely enjoyable contest. The unique tournament was won this year by two Kent-based golfers, Richard Scott (27 H’cap) and Judy Lilley (26 H’cap). Whilst this was Scott’s first-ever TSG Major win, it was Lilley’s 4^th time lifting the Women’s Trophy. The main winners on the day included…

Women’s Trophy – 1st – Judy Lilley 41 Pts (Kent), 2nd – Ruth Brand – 26 Pts (East Sussex)

Men’s Trophy – 1st – Richard Scott – 38 Pts (Kent), 2nd – Russel Mitchell – 37 Pts (Buckinghamshire), 3rd – Paul Houghton – 37 Pts (Essex)

Golf News Guest Trophy – Sam Cooke – 38 Pts (Kent), The Cairns Cup

Cairns Cup Comp. Team Winners – Sam Cooke, Richard Scott, Bob Syrad & Mark Crane

Yellow Ball Team Winners – Steve Slater, Barry Beard, Dave Wilkinson & Canhai Howell.

TSG OPEN CHARITY: Key facts about The Afriyea Golf Academy

• Afriyea Golf Academy students walk 20km a day to earn just £2 for their education
• Their community supports 1000+ kids in 21 schools with coaching and equipment
• The Academy also promotes Sustainability, Conservation, Diversity & Equality via the game of golf.
• It costs just £50 per annum to provide ONE child a year’s education & golf

N.B. EVERY penny raised has gone directly to the kids!

TSG LEADERBOARD: Sponsored by Gogogo SPORT Rangefinders

July Winner

Sam Swanscott at Pedham Place GC with 48 pts.  

August Winner

Richard Scott at The Heron GC with 47 pts.  

Sept Winner

Ian Smith at Noria GC with 48 pts.

The TSG GREEN towels are on there way to you!

WHS HANDICAPS: The Terminology

While the terms 'golf slope' and 'rating' have been around for several years, it is only since 2020 that UK golfers have been required to understand their true meaning. The official USGA definition of the two different measures of the difficulty of a golf course are as follows… 

The Slope – Definition

“Playing length and obstacles impact higher-handicap players more than lower-handicap players, and Slope Rating measures the relative difficulty of a golf course for players who are not scratch players compared to those who are scratch players” 

Course Rating – Definition

“A Course Rating represents the score a scratch player, with a Handicap Index® of 0.0, should achieve on a golf course under normal course and weather conditions. For example, a Course Rating of 71.8 would equate to a scratch player’s expected score of 72 on a good round.” 

Or to put it another way, the Course Rating is a measure of how difficult a course is for a scratch golfer (a golfer with a handicap of zero), while the Slope Rating is a measure of how difficult a course is for a bogey golfer (a golfer with a handicap of 20 to 24). 

The Course Rating is calculated by taking the average score of a group of scratch golfers playing the course under normal conditions.  

The Slope Rating is calculated by taking the difference between the course rating and the average score of a group of bogey golfers playing the course under normal conditions, and then dividing that difference by 113. 

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: World Record Holder

Most Golf Courses Played in a Single Year...

Golf photographer,  Patrick Koenig, has broken the world record for the most different 18-hole golf courses played in a single year, after he completed the 18th hole of his 450th golf course at the Omni Interlocken in Denver, Colorado on October 17.

Koenig’s remarkable journey, ‘The RGV Tour 2.0’ has been a monumental endeavour. He originally set himself the target of playing a staggering 500 golf courses across a 365-day period and is set to complete that tally ahead of the tour’s finale in January. His passion and determination have now rewritten the record books, surpassing the previous record of 449 courses set back in 2009.

His first round was at Monarch Beach Golf Club in California on January 3, with the final round scheduled to take place at Chambers Bay in Washington on January 2, 2024.

Throughout the challenge, Koenig exclusively wore ECCO GOLF shoes, and has fully utilised the brand’s exceptional comfort and durability throughout the world record attempt. Koenig commented: “There are no other golf shoes that I would rather have played 450 different golf courses in besides ECCO. They are comfortable, perform exceptionally well and are built to last. It’s the perfect recipe for this world record achievement.”

Timo Vollrath, Head of Global Marketing at ECCO GOLF, expressed his admiration for Koenig’s remarkable feat (!), commenting: “Huge congratulations to Patrick for this incredible achievement, and we are delighted that ECCO GOLF shoes have completed the record-breaking 450 courses with him!”

TSG TRAVEL PARTNERS: October Offers

Golf Escape's impartial advice is second to none, and with more years of experience in the team than they would like to admit, they will find the perfect escape for you and your group. For great advice, give the team a call to find out more on 01342 811 777.  

Don't forget to mention THE SOCIAL GOLFER and get £25 off your booking!

BEST COURSE REVIEW: Thetford GC, Suffolk, UK

Can't wait to play here again!

A top-quality golf course, evident from the moment you arrive. It has that 'something' most courses would like to aspire to. Thetford is just outside being a top 100 course and they are working hard to make it even better.

There was a friendly, very helpful welcome from the pro shop, which made me feel more like a member rather than a guest. They have excellent practice facilities, 2 large putting greens, chipping and bunker practice green, and 2 driving nets, all close to the clubhouse and range just a short walk away.

Thetford is a heathland course which being part of Thetford Forest, means all holes are tree-lined. But don't panic as you still have generous fairways and rough, so if you should end up in the trees... you deserve some punishment!

The quality of the course on my visit was only slightly let down by the fairways suffering from the hot and very dry conditions during the previous month of June. The club had very sensibly responded to this by introducing "pick and place" on the fairways to lessen any further impact until the rain came.

The tees were generous and well-maintained. The greens looked good and were a pleasure to putt on, and the bunkers and fringe all looked great too. I was spoilt by having 3 members guiding me around and making my experience hugely enjoyable, and as a guest, I paid just £35 which is a brilliant price.

Being close (but not too close) to major roads makes it easy to get to and if you get the chance or want a change from your "normal" courses, then Thetford is well worth a visit. I look forward to playing there again.

Greg Butler (H'cap Index 18)